7 Days Mt. Kilimanjaro Climbing: Machame Route

The drive from Moshi town to Machame gate takes about 50 minutes passing the Machame village which is located in the lower slopes of the mountain. Meet the rest of your team [ porters],Check in the park gate and start trekking through tropical rain forest reaching Machame Camp in 5 -6 hours. Lunch will have been packed for you.

Dinner and Overnight at the Camp.
Hiking distance;11 km.
Altitude gain; 1,885m.

After having breakfast, we leave the glades of the rain forest crossing a little valley walking along a steep rocky ridge. The route then turns to the west reaching Shira Camp in 4 – 6 hours. Lunch we will be provided in a half way distance.

Dinner and overnight at the camp.
Hiking distance; 9 km.
Altitude gain; 1,015m.

From the Shira plateau, we continue to the east up a ridge passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. Continue trekking towards South East via Lava Tower (4,600m). Have lunch from this point and continue down to Barranco Camp. This day offers great acclimatisation allowing hikers to“ Walk high, Sleep Low”.

Dinner and Overnight at the Camp.
Hiking Distance; 10 km in 6-8 hours.
Altitude gain; 750m, altitude drop; 650m.

After breakfast, leave the Camp and climb a non- technical but steep ridge {Barranco Wall/Kissing rock}. Continue trekking in a series of hills reaching Karanga Camp.

Dinner and overnight at the Camp.
Hiking Distance; 5 km in 4-5 hours.
Altitude gain; 40m.

Right after breakfast and gearing up, start trekking passing the junction to Mweka trail continuing up to the Barafu Camp. From this camp, Mawenzi peak and the Kibo peak are very visible. Have an early dinner and resting ahead of the summit.

Hiking Distance; 4 km in 4 -5 hours.
Altitude gain; 615m.

Wake up at around 2300hrs, have a simple breakfast, gear up and start the journey to the summit in the dark. This is the most challenging part in our bodies both mentally and physically. Walk at a pace of your own step after the other not competing with other hikers or teammates. We say“ Pole Pole” in Swhahili language meaning slow but sure.

While at Stella point [18,600ft], you will be rewarded by the epic sunrise if the weather is clear. Then continue in about an hour along the crater rim to the summit. At this point, Uhuru peak [5,895 M /19,340 ft], you are now on the highest point of Mount Kilimanjaro and continent of Africa.
Spend a short time at the summit taking photos and start descending down to Barafu Camp for lunch and a rest. Afterwards then continue trekking down to Mweka Camp (3,100m). Enjoy the last dinner on the mountain and a well earned sleep.

Hiking ascent distance from Barafu to Summit; 5 km in 6-7 hours.
Hiking descent distance from summit to Mweka; 12 km 6 hours. Altitude gain; 1,295m.
Altitude drop; 2,795m.

After the breakfast and a little celebration, pick up your day packs and start descending down. On arriving at the gate, you’ll be rewarded with certificates of achievement. Board a vehicle which will drive you back in your hotel in Moshi or onward destination.

Altitude drop; 2,150m.

END OF THE TRIP.